Home »  Food and Drink »  Herbs and Spices Herbs and spices have a variety of uses be it cooking or medicinal properties. Seed bearing plants devoid of the woody stems are known as herbs. The green leafy part is used for medicinal properties or culinary usages. Spices are actually grounded seeds or roots or fruits. Spices are generally used as food taste enhancer or condiments. There are different types of spices and each type is connected some cultural background. For example: Italian spices or Indian spices.



Herbs and Spices are used in cooking to enhance the taste of the food. Some also have medicinal properties hence they have been used in Ayurveda, natural healing process. Herbs and Spices are used to make medicines and treated for curing many illnesses like cough and cold, and stomach ache or headache. Sometimes the oils of Herbs and Spices are also used for beauty purposes. It is always beneficial to go the natural way.

Herbs have been used since time immemorial for different purposes. Be it seasoning or even sorcery herbs and spices are always used. The Sumerian civilization has left records on clay tablets that herbs and spices were used and these records dates back approximately 6000 years back. Most herbs can be grown if you just know how to do it. Most of the allopathic medicines are made from herbs. Nowadays there are stores which sell herbs and spices.

List of Herbs and Spices

There are many herbs and spices which one can avail in the market or even grow in their garden. Some particular places are especially famous for their Herbs and Spices. They have different beneficial properties which can be used. Not everyone is aware about the different types of herbs and spices. Some of the very important herbs and spices are as follows:

• Thyme
• Mustard
• Nutmeg
• Oregano
• Paprika
• Rosemary
• Saffron
• Poppy seeds
• Star Anise
• Curry Leaf
• Fenugreek
• Rhubarb
• Cumin
• Cilantro
• Basil
• Bay leaf
• Fennel
• Cardamom
• Clove

Cooking with Herbs and Spices

Herbs and Spices are the entire essence of a dish. It can make or mar a dish from its strong and light flavors. It gives color and character to any dish. With a little here and there changes you can manage to give a new look and feel to your dish. It is always better to use fresh herbs than the dried ones. If you are using dried herbs it is better if you crush them so that it can bring out the flavors in it. When grinding herbs and spices it is better if you use a mortar or a pestle.

Keep your herbs and spices in airtight containers. You should cook any spice before you add water in them. Dont overdo or put excess flavors as that might spoil the entire dish. Some people use a lot of herbs and spices when they are cooking but one should also know that all flavors do not go with each other as each has some distinctive flavors and tastes and aroma which add to the taste of the dish.

Recipes with Herbs and Spices

If you are cooking with herbs and spices then the food taste is enhanced and tastes absolutely fantastic. If you have tasted stuff which contains herbs and spices then you would know how awesome it tastes. There are many delicious dishes which can be made by herbs and spices. Given below are two recipes which are made with herbs are spices they are as follows. Here is one sauce which has been made by essential items and you can take the sauce with egg, fish or chicken dishes.

• 1 tablespoon canned chopped green chilies
• 1 (8 ounce package) frozen chopped spinach
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 pint whole milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

First you would need to cook the spinach and then after that you need to drain the excess water. Keep it in a separate bowl. Now melt butter and then add flour to the butter and stir for two minutes. Slowly put the milk in by whisking. Lower the heat and then cook again for about five minutes or so. Add the cilantro, chilies, and spinach, along with green chilies and cumin and coriander. Then put the whole thing into a food mixer and then make it into a puree. Put in the sour cream and add pepper and salt to taste.

Mustard Chicken Wings

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons Mustard seeds
• 5 tablespoons Mayonnaise
• 6 Chicken wings

Procedures

First you would need to wash the chicken wings properly so that they are well cleaned. Then in a container mix mustard seeds and mayonnaise very well. After you are done with it coat each chicken wing with the mixture of mustard seeds and mayonnaise. Then put the chicken wings in the oven and bake it in a preheated one for ten minutes at 200 degree Celsius. After the baking process is complete garnish the chicken wings with cherry tomatoes, red and green bell peppers, watercress and you are ready to serve a delicious dish which all guest would love to taste.

Medicinal Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices have healing and medicinal powers. They are used for treating common problems like cough and cold. It helps to rejuvenate your body system. The herbs and spices have amazing powers which can cure a lot of things. You can use herbs through oral consumption or application to the effected part. Some very common powerful herbs and spices which have healing and medicinal powers and widely used are as follows:

• Marigold
• Nutmeg
• Celery
• Betel Leaves
• Bamboo
• Clove
• Coriander
• Poppy seeds
• Rhubarb
• Rosemary
• Fennel
• Saffron
• Cumin Seeds
• Holy Basil